So I have this truck... '93 F-150, 300 I-6, E40D, 3.08:1 open, extended cab. So far I have "fixed" the dash oil pressure gauge, changed the oil, had the front wheel bearings replaced, oil pan gasket replaced, and transmission flushed with synthetic, swapped the cluster for one with a tach, replaced all four shocks, changed the gear oil in the rear end for Redline Heavy Shockproof, and finally cleaned up all the ground connections on the big cable coming from the battery as well as the one behind the driver's side headlight.
- The oil pressure gauge in the dash "floats" around, as in the needle may move between below 'N' and above 'O' while cruising at a steady speed down the highway. A check of the mechanical gauge I've temporarily mounted under the dash shows 40-45 PSI at about 55 MPH (engine RPMs are still low enough that that's not max oil pressure; it will be a shade under 1500 RPM at that speed.) Any ideas how to fix this? I'd like to get rid of the mechanical gauge but I don't trust the dash gauge. I'm thinking maybe a ground strap from the starter to the cab? stock ground strap from frame to cab is attached with clips and is pretty rusty. any other ideas? This is a problem as it freaked me right the hell out when I saw the oil pressure drop when I stood on the gas, and come back when I lifted off. Not reassuring at all!
- One thing that bothers me is a noise that I hear when loading up the transmission at low speed - kind of a "whoosh whoosh whoosh" noise, sounds like a dragging disc brake but it's not because I hear the noise when power braking as well. Everything seems to work excellent and it does not do this noise all the time. Is this a sign of something expensive about to fail, or nothing much to worry about?
- I just had the front wheels balanced and now the nearly dangerous shake at 65ish is gone, but I can still feel a little shimmy, front tires are "Power King" brand, could this be the problem? anyone ever heard of these tires? Rears are Michelins so I am tempted to try rotating them to see what happens.
- I have on order a transmission temp gauge and was told that there is a port somewhere on the trans that was intended for a pressure gauge for troubleshooting purposes, I was going to use that for the sender, but don't know where it is (truck is a bit warm right now as I just got back from driving it about 50 miles in the heat so I don't feel like crawling under to look) can anyone tell me about where to start looking, and also what size/thread is the hole so I can buy the right bushing? I just want to keep an eye on it to make sure that I don't end up abusing it.
- The driveshaft's U-joints appear to be sealed, should I consider replacing them on principle given the mileage? It does feel like there is a little slack in the driveshaft. What about the center support bearing? Replace it too, or if it ain't broke don't fix it?
Other than the above, and the low voltage at idle with the accessories on, I am about at the point where I'm starting to trust the truck... that's a Good Thing(tm) one more maintenance item left on my 'to do' list and that is to flush the brake system, anyone else think of anything that I need to do right away? truck has almost 140K miles and was reasonably well maintained by PO but PO was not a "car guy..." good news is that new OP gasket appears to have made the drivetrain relatively leak free!
For perspective my goal with this truck is to simply get it whipped into shape where I can throw the keys to SWMBO (who is not a car person) if she ever needs a vehicle and not worry about it other than simply keeping up with periodic maintenance. This isn't going to be my drive to work vehicle (I have a company car) but I'd like it to be capable of being one, if necessary.
nate